Twitter is an online social networking service that features micro-blogging. While many online blogs are somewhat lengthy, Twitter’s micro-blogs are limited to 140 characters, which means the messages and blog entries are quick and to the point.
These short messages, known as “tweets,” and can be conveniently sent as messages to iPhones, IM (Instant Messaging), email, the Twitter Web site, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds, and SMS (Short Message Service) text messages to mobile phones. Messages longer than 140 characters will automatically be sent to the subscriber’s profile on the Twitter Web site. Tweets can also be sent and received through Facebook and by using Twitterific, a desktop application available to Mac users.
Rated the most popular micro-blogging service today, Twitter was launched in July, 2006, and by July, 2008 there were over two million accounts registered with the service. Twitter is available to anyone, and is used as a means for fun, social communication as well as more serious applications, such as business advertising. Twitter is easy to use, making it attractive to a wide variety of users.
The default message delivery is to everyone on the Twitter network who has signed up to receive the messages. Users can designate specific recipients for their messages and can also send messages to one person at a time. Users can sign up to receive all “tweets” containing specific keywords.
Online social networks are becoming more and more popular as business advertising tools. Most are free to the subscriber, and messages can be sent to an extensive network of consumers. Advertising with online social networks is simple and, in most cases, effective in generating more traffic to your Web site.
You’ll be able to send tweets to targeted consumer groups, and you can customize your messages according to the intended recipients in order to make the most impact with your messages. Since Twitter micro-blogs can be delivered in such a wide variety of ways, you will have a much better chance of reaching large audiences. Registered users can also enter keywords for tweets they want to receive, which can mean reaching an even greater number of people than you had originally targeted.
Using Twitter as a means of advertising will help personalize your customer service. Message recipients are able to send you their individual questions regarding your products and services, and you can receive these questions instantly. You can help build rapport with your customers by quickly answering their questions and sending more information at anytime. Your customers will appreciate being able to contact someone so easily.
You can update your advertising messages as often as you like, and you can also narrow the number of recipients whenever you need to. With the capability of having almost instant feedback, you can adjust your advertising to better suit your clients and potential customers. Twitter is based on fast, up-to-date micro-blogging, and you will be reminded to send out new messages on a regular basis. This reminder is referred to as a “nudge.” You can even set up an auto-nudge to remind you to update your tweets as frequently as you want, making sure your messages are kept in front of your intended audience.
